Wipro, HCL CEOs get UN award for promoting gender equality

New York: The CEOs of Indian IT giants Wipro and HCL are among this year's recipient of leadership awards given by the UN's body on women for their work on principles of women's empowerment and helping champion gender equality.

Wipro and its CEO and Board Member T K Kurien and HCL Technologies President and CEO Anant Gupta have been awarded with the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Leadership awards.

Kurien and his company have been recognised with the WEPs 'Cultural Change for Empowerment Award 2014' for proactive commitment to gender equality throughout business operations and developing innovative programs that respond to women's multiple responsibilities and societal expectations, said a statement from UN Women.

Gupta and HCL are recognised with the '7 Principles Award 2014' for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy that integrates the WEPs principles?within the company's internal operations, while externally supporting and strengthening gender equality in its communities.

The two CEOs were among the five receipents of this year's honours which include Coca-Cola and its CEO Muhtar Kent, investment management company Pax World and its President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Keefe.

"I applaud the companies and leaders that have signed onto the Women's Empowerment Principles. By promoting women's equality, we make progress for all," said Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director.

"When we empower women and girls through education and training, and support their full participation and leadership through equal opportunity, we advance equitable and inclusive economic growth and reduce poverty. It's a win-win situation."

Ahead of International Women's Day, 250 leaders from business, government, civil society, and academia joined UN Women and the UN Global Compact in highlighting not only the challenge, but also policies, models and lessons to realising gender equality in the workforce.

The Women's Empowerment Principles - Equality Means Business is a joint initiative of UN Women and the UN Global Compact.